What others have said about
Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith

Comments

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 18011
Rating:2.7 Comments:
This judge is a nut. She is terribly unprofessional in her demeanor and approach and does not appear to read papers.
She clearly shows a bias towards public entity defendants. Several examples: defense counsel is late to conference, but plaintiff gets reamed for a typographical error in papers. Or, defense counsel makes several statements to the court regarding due diligence and firm activities that are knowingly inaccurate, which plaintiff's counsel later proves. There is no penalty; but Plaintiff's counsel is constantly threatened with sanctions or a report to the bar for trivial and unintentional errors of etiquette that have no impact on the case.
She seems to have the federal rules memorized and can quote them but does not seem to understand what they mean or the caselaw that applies to their interpretation.
She seems not to comprehend the law that is applicable to routine litigation issues.
She appears to enjoy yelling at attorneys and will seek any opportunity to do so.
She is uncooperative with counsel and appears anxious to simply push through litigation without regard to fairness or justice.
She has taken no role in settlement.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 8801
Rating:8.4 Comments:
Having had experience with Judge Smith some years ago and again very recently, she can be brusque at times but I think she has mellowed somewhat and she handled my recent civil matter, which was not too complex, quite well, appreciated the issues, was fair with counsel, worked hard on it, and helped manage it to a successful settlement

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 7906
Rating:2.5 Comments:
Disrespectful of attorneys and witnesses. Prone to inappropriate and demeaning outbursts. "Nasty" was a term used to describe her courtroom demeanor. I would not disagree. A decided lack of professionalism.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 6063
Rating:2.8 Comments:
Magistrate Smith has never let things like civility, respect or professionalism permeate her courtroom. Her lack of respect for others and her unprovoked gratuitous nastiness are hallmarks in her courtroom.

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 3060
Rating:2.0 Comments:
She made three lawyers from NYC come up to White Plains over and over again, each time just to announce that she hadn't yet done her in camera review of the necessary files.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 1020
Rating:8.7 Comments:
On bail matters she's fairly amenable to releasing an offender on security. That may be a function of our appearing with white coller offenders before her in Westchester, but she seems fairly decent. This was even when she was a new appointee.